Prevent firefighter layoffs

The SAFER grant that the City of Reno applied for has been denied. This grant from the federal government had been funding the department since 2012 after layoffs occurred in 2011. Without this grant, the City of Reno has not budgeted to keep the current team of firefighters employed. On July 1, 35 firefighters will be laid off for the second time in three years, and three stations will be closed. This is a huge cut to an already short-staffed fire department, especially considering the fairly recent large fires that have resulted in significant property loss, and the extremely dry winter Reno just endured.

In addition to fighting fire, these brave men and women respond to emergency medical calls. Recently Engine 10 (one of the stations scheduled for a brown out) responded to a "possible miscarriage.” It was a premature baby who came out with the cord wrapped around her neck. There was no initial crying; she was cyanotic, had minimal breathing effort, and no movement. The firefighters suctioned her, breathed for her, and did compressions before the ambulance arrived. Thanks to the firefighters being first on the scene, she made it. If this had happened after July 1, Engine 10 would be closed and this baby would almost certainly not be here today.

The City of Reno should provide for the health and safety of its citizens by budgeting for these emergency services. Sacrificing such an important element for the second time in three years is unacceptable, and the citizens of Reno deserve more.

On April 30, 2014, the majority of the Reno City Council ignored public comment and the 5,000+ signatures on this petition and voted 5-2 in favor of the layoffs.

This petition will remain open as a way for people to express their outrage at the layoffs being supported and passed. Although it could not prevent the layoffs, it will serve as a reminder to the members of City Council who supported the layoffs how many citizens they have turned their backs on.